“Familien Brattbakk” by Julia Kahrs – Reviews and recommendations

Behind the rather sad title hides one of the wildest children’s books of the year. The book went to the top with the Bragejuryen, and there is nothing to say about that. This is the weirdest and most unpredictable narrative I’ve read in a long time. Not only has Julia Kahr’s sense of humor. The horror story is so gross that it threatens to tip over into splatter. There is no doubt that the story will resonate with the target group, which is children between the ages of eight and twelve. What’s the matter with mother? It is Sam who narrates. She will soon turn eleven, has a mother and two brothers, and, cross the roof, the siblings get along just fine! No traditional sibling squabbling here, in other words. The mother, on the other hand, whom the children adore, becomes more and more special. One thing is that she loves snails, and thinks they are the best food for the children too. The kind of snails that crawl around the garden, that is. Another notable quirk is her ability to know everything about where the children are at all times. RECOGNIZED: Julia Kahrs won the prestigious Brage award for “Familien Brattbakk”. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Past in the dark Sam floats down the river. It is autumn cold, she is fully dressed, and the strange hat she is so fond of is disappearing in the dark river water. It is not the first time Sam has been thrown into the river by his classmates. She is being bullied, and now that’s enough, says the mother. The family moves to the small place Gørja, which is constantly exposed to local storms. What kind of place is this? There are many creepy moments. Something is not right. According to family history, there was a car crash when the children were small, which caused the brother Flemming to lose one of his arms. That’s probably why Sam has a limp too. But none of the children remember what really happened. Eating their own Excitement rises when Sam finds an entire library in the new house. Books about cannibalism abound there. And when the mother thinks Sam is far too thin and needs to be fattened up, things get worse. There is plenty of room here for anyone who wants to interpret and put two and two together. A good move to activate the readers along the way, I think. No mainstream book I would have to use my fingers on both hands, at least, if I were to count all the Norwegian children’s novels that are about arguments and rivalry among children at middle school. Often, one of the main characters has to take the reef in the sails, in a spectacular final showdown, and realize that you have wronged others, been a coward, or did not stand up for your friend. There is something a bit well-intentioned and patronizing about it. Not like that here. The bullying is registered, it exists in everyday life and is of course inappropriate, but it never becomes a main element. I would like to think that many readers will be grateful to let go of moral guidelines and just indulge in a truly scary adventure in violence. No one will doubt that Kahrs cheers for those who are different. Captivating As a reader, I have no idea where this will end, but I have full faith that the author will smooth it all out. It may also be because she is so good at sentence level. Even in the less dramatic parts, it vibrates with life. Julia Kahrs can write or This is nice! Women in leading roles Sam’s mother is an energetic woman. The same cannot exactly be said about the teacher, principal, doctor or police officer that Sam comes into contact with in Gørja – but they are all women. Kahrs makes no bones about it. The fact that everyone is female is just a fact. Excellent, I think. We need the wonderful “Familien Brattbakk” is an extraordinary children’s novel about an extraordinary family. Of course, the story can also stimulate readers to think through themes such as friendship, belonging and diversity, as many Norwegian children’s books do today, somewhat dutifully. At Kahrs, such themes are neither obvious nor assumed. I give thumbs up for the sprawling suspense story that stretches out of realism and into the fabulous. Julia Kahrs’ fabulous, unpredictable and, in the best sense, disgusting fantasy, is recommended. news reviews Photo: Gyldendal Title: “Familien Brattbakk” Author: Julia Kahrs Genre: Children’s novel 8–12 years Publisher: Gyldendal Number of pages: 255



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